• DONATIONS NOW OPEN! TGPF relies on donations to run. If you'd like to donate towards running costs you can find out more HERE
  • Fresh grass and lawn tips to avoid springtime deaths Click here for details
  • Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Head Tilt

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Christy

New Born Pup
Joined
Jun 21, 2015
Messages
10
Reaction score
6
Points
55
Location
Casper Wyoming
hi, one of our guinea pigs has a sudden head tilt. I have researched it and all the signs point to a ear infection. We have called every vet in town and none will take payments most vets here don't see guinea pigs. We were quoted $150 for visit and meds and we honestly don't have it. We are trying to sell things to come up with the money . Can we do anything over the counter? Anything herbal? Yes I do know this is serious and I feel horrible that I can't afford $150 . My daughter and I have been sleeping in the living room to be near her and have done nothing but cry for days. Can we do anything until we can get her in?
 
Christy said:
hi, one of our guinea pigs has a sudden head tilt. I have researched it and all the signs point to a ear infection. We have called every vet in town and none will take payments most vets here don't see guinea pigs. We were quoted $150 for visit and meds and we honestly don't have it. We are trying to sell things to come up with the money . Can we do anything over the counter? Anything herbal? Yes I do know this is serious and I feel horrible that I can't afford $150 . My daughter and I have been sleeping in the living room to be near her and have done nothing but cry for days. Can we do anything until we can get her in?
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your predicament; vet cost in the US (where you are obviously located) are a lot higher than in the UK and vets demand payment upfront. Sadly, many people are not aware that buying a little baby piggy is by far the cheapest part. :(

Unfortunately, any ear infection needs to be treated promptly with an antibiotic; if left untreated or undertreated, it very often kills or at the best leaves a guinea pig with a permanent head tilt. It really needs an antibiotic; and they are all prescription-only. Just some ear drops from the pharmacy on spec won't help and can make things worse rather than better. :(

Could you please add your state to your details since we have got members from all over the world. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!
 
I'm sorry you're going through such a difficult time, knowledgeable vets can be so hard to find in the USA.

Have you tried this vet here? Did a quick google search for cavy vets near Casper Wyoming, I'm not sure if they're any good or not but they say they treat guinea pigs so that looks promising. http://caspervets.com/exotic_pet_veterinarians.htm
 
Ruby Inferno said:
I'm sorry you're going through such a difficult time, knowledgeable vets can be so hard to find in the USA.

Have you tried this vet here? Did a quick google search for cavy vets near Casper Wyoming, I'm not sure if they're any good or not but they say they treat guinea pigs so that looks promising. http://caspervets.com/exotic_pet_veterinarians.htm
Click to expand...
She does have a vet appointment today. I have cleaned a lot of stuff from her ears and she is eating on her own. I have been syringe feeding her water to keep her hydrated. She is more alert today. I hope the vet appointment goes well today. This is princess. Thank you everybody.
 

Attachments

  • image.webp
    image.webp
    40.4 KB · Views: 10
  • image.webp
    image.webp
    51.3 KB · Views: 10
  • image.webp
    image.webp
    53.5 KB · Views: 10
That does sound a look like an ear infection. Hope the appointment goes well.
 
Thank you everybody. Princess went to the vet today and was put on antibiotics . She has an ear infection as suspected. She seemed more alert today and was purring tonight. The vet did not sound very promising and almost had my daughter in tears over the reality, and heart to heart of how sick she is plus the in 3 weeks talk about easing her pain if she isn't better. We will find another vet that can at least sound like she might pull through. She is not in pain but uncomfortable. Her ears have stopped oozing which is good. She has become quite the snuggle bug through all of this. We think she is one tough piggy and with her meds and lots of prayers believe she will get better.
 
Glad she is now on antibiotics, do you know the name of them? has the vet mentioned about probiotics to give an hour after the antibiotics?

Most pigs with an ear infection make a full recovery though some can be left with a permanent head tilt. Is she eating, drinking and pooing ok?
 
Yeap, one of my piggies kept getting ear infections last year along with URI's, he pulled through every time, but we sadly lost him this year due to poor vet knowledge and another vet wanting to wait nearly a week to remove the bladder stones...

Helen,I don't think any of the vets my son has taken the piggies to see have mentioned about giving probiotics when they are on antibiotics, I only found this out by speaking to the rescue we got him from and by reading this forum...
 
Ok, in which case, please give probiotics at least an hour after each dose to support the gut. I am unsure on American brands though, so maybe check Guinea Lynx for information.
 
helen105281 said:
Glad she is now on antibiotics, do you know the name of them? has the vet mentioned about probiotics to give an hour after the antibiotics?

Most pigs with an ear infection make a full recovery though some can be left with a permanent head tilt. Is she eating, drinking and pooing ok?
Click to expand...
She is on Baytril and is supposed to go back in 3 weeks for a re check. She didn't mention probiotics but I think we're going to get some anyway. She did recommend we get this though and order it since they had none in stock. Hopefully a combination of everything helps. Thanks again everybody for everything.
 

Attachments

  • image.webp
    image.webp
    30.2 KB · Views: 6
That's critical care which is great for syringe feeding if you need to do it.
 
It will help, especially as the antibiotics can suppress the appetite.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top